Water meters
The letter to the editor (Waikato Times, February 23) about ‘‘water meter confusion’’ needs clarification. The writer refers to a conversation with some workers doing road marking for a water pipe upgrade in Hamilton, and says the workers made comments about metered charges for water next year.
To be absolutely clear, and as has been stated a number of times, Hamilton City Council has no plans in the foreseeable future to install residential water meters.
The ‘‘confusion’’ referred to has arisen because the contractors on site have also been involved in other water projects in neighbouring council areas where meters are being installed.
I would encourage the writer, or others who want further information on any council projects, to contact the council directly.
General manager City Infrastructure
Hamilton City Council
during the 2016 election campaign to approve the Healthy Rivers Plan, taking it to the next level. She admitted to not knowing the cost to ratepayers when asked. During the same election meeting, another WRC councillor stated that she didn’t care about the cost as she wanted to leave a legacy for her grandchildren. We now have a by-election, and her daughter is standing to carry on her mother’s legacy.
It is a bit like pass the parcel with councillors changing chairs. Bob Simcock was the mayor of HCC when the V8 debacle went down. Now on WRC, he stated ‘‘because there is more transparency, more information floating around out there that, actually, we increase the conflict’’. Sound familiar? Remember the V8s, information was suppressed and it was a nasty shock for councillors and ratepayers when it finally came to light? Ignorance is bliss, or is it?
The Waikato Times determines what is published, the least it should do is get the facts straight and names published correctly!
Hamilton
Editor’s note: Ms Hennebry is correct. The finance committee chair is Jane Hennebry. Our apologies. The online copy was corrected. deliberating to review the public feedback, from their submissions. Surprise, surprise, to learn that 84% of the submissions were in favour of changing to wheeled bins. I only hope this majority has given thought to the fact that this proposal is a major change which needs to be paid through rates.
The council intends to to borrow $7.4 million for the cost of wheeled bins. This would increase the existing debt of $348m. With two different sizes of wheeled bins, food waste bins and recycling crates the contractor will need to provide the right trucks with loading equipment to empty the bins – again at extra cost.
We also hear of a proposed special assisted collection service to older people with disabilities – so further costs.
The multi bin service will also be a storage and collection problem for people living in blocks of flats, leading to extra costs. Then there is various collection date advertising, printing stickers for bins, etc – more costs.
If ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Hamilton